Cape & Namibia Discovery - 11 days
Cape & Namibia Discovery - 11 days
11 Days Starting in Cape Town, South Africa and ending in Windhoek, Namibia
Visiting: Cape Town, Orange River, Fish River Canyon, Namib Naukluft National Park, Swakopmund, Spitzkoppe, Etosha National Park, Windhoek
Tour operator:
Tour code:
2537/CNMD
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
2 - 16
Age range:
18-75
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable 11-day adventure with the Cape & Namibia Discovery tour, exploring the stunning landscapes of South Africa and Namibia. Begin your journey in vibrant Cape Town, visiting local townships and the scenic Western Cape. Cross into Namibia to swim or canoe in the Orange River, and marvel at the breathtaking Fish River Canyon. Experience the towering dunes and salt pans of Namib Naukluft National Park, and enjoy free time in the charming coastal town of Swakopmund. Discover the ancient rock formations of Spitzkoppe and embark on thrilling game drives in Etosha National Park, home to elephants, giraffes, and lions. Conclude your adventure in Namibia's quaint capital, Windhoek. This small group camping tour offers a unique blend of cultural encounters and natural wonders, with comfortable camping and dorm accommodations along the way.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Cape Town
Location: Cape Town
Accommodation Name: Campsite
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner
Cape Town - Cederberg. Our African adventure begins today with a tour of the Cape Flats, to the east of the city. Visiting a local township, we'll meet local people and discover some of the community projects in the area. Then it's time to climb aboard our overland truck as we head north, through the Western Cape and the fruit-growing region of Citrusdal. Our first night is spent camping by the Olifants River in the Cederberg area, and you will have the opportunity to taste some of the region's famous wines.
Please note: The pre-departure meeting is held at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure. The tour departs at 08:00 on Day 1 so please arrive in Cape Town the day before your tour. Refer to the Joining Instructions in the Trip Notes for more information. We can book accommodation and transfers on request.
Day 2: Orange River
Location: Orange River
Accommodation Name: Felix Unite campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Cederberg - Orange River (Namibia). Continuing north, we pass through drier, rockier territory until we reach the Namibian border, crossing at Vioolsdrift. Tonight's campsite is beside the Gariep (AKA Orange) River, which marks the border between South Africa and Namibia for much of its length. The river is safe for swimming, and you can also enjoy an optional canoe trip on this important waterway either today or on day 3. The dark skies in this isolated area are also great for stargazing.
Day 3: Fish River Canyon
Location: Fish River Canyon
Accommodation Name: Canyon Roadhouse Campsite
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Orange River - Fish River Canyon. There is time for the optional canoe safari this morning, if we didn't have time yesterday. Then we drive north to Fish River Canyon, second only in size to the Grand Canyon in the USA. More than 500 metres deep and scarring the land for 160km, it's a jaw-dropping sight to behold. We'll stop at a couple of viewpoints and visit the canyon's famously sharp bend, known as 'Hell's Corner'.
Day 4: Namib Naukluft National Park
Location: Namib Naukluft National Park
Accommodation Name: Sossus Oasis Overland Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Fish River Canyon - Namib-Naukluft National Park. We have a long drive today as we journey to the edge of Namib-Naukluft National Park, which protects great swathes of the Namib Desert and the Naukluft mountains. We'll camp on the edge of the park, ready to explore tomorrow.
Day 5: Namib Naukluft National Park
Location: Namib Naukluft National Park
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Solitaire
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Namib-Naukluft National Park - Solitaire. It's time to explore the Namib Desert! Our first stop is mighty Dune 45, one of the tallest sand dunes in the region. It's a dazzling sight, and the reward for climbing to the top is incredible views over the surrounding area. Then it's on to Deadvlei, a barren salt pan with petrified trees, completely surrounded by rolling sand dunes.
Our last stop is Sesriem Canyon, which isn't as impressive as Fish River Canyon, but it is worth a visit nonetheless. Tonight's campsite is in the tiny desert settlement of Solitaire.
Day 6-7: Swakopmund
Location: Swakopmund
Accommodation Name: Amanpuri Travellers Lodge
Meals Included: Breakfast
Solitaire - Swakopmund. On day 6 we drive to Swakopmund, a German colonial town located on Namibia's famous Skeleton Coast. We'll be staying in simple dormitory accommodation in Swakopmund, rather than camping.
The rest of day 6 and the following day are free for you to explore Swakopmund as you see fit. Wander around the town and indulge in the relaxed cafe culture and German colonial architecture. There are also lots of optional activities available including quad-biking, sand boarding, skydiving, and dolphin-watching cruises. See the Trip Notes for further details.
Day 8: Spitzkoppe
Location: Spitzkoppe
Accommodation Name: Overnight: Spitzkoppe
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Swakopmund - Spitzkoppe. Leaving coastal Swakopmund, we head into the Damaraland region and our destination - Spitzkoppe. At this mountain peak, you can see incredibly well-preserved bushmen paintings and spectacular rock formations reaching 1800 metres above sea level. As the sun moves across the sky, the rocks change colour, a sight that is particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset. We'll be staying at a campsite at the base of the mountain, so you can enjoy this sunset with a refreshing drink.
Please note that some travellers may be joining the tour in Swakopmund.
Day 9-10: Etosha National Park
Location: Etosha National Park
Accommodation Name: Okaukuejo Camp
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Spitzkoppe - Etosha National Park. The next two days will be spent exploring Namibia's iconic Etosha National Park. This 20,000 square kilometre reserve is dominated by a salt pan, which floods seasonally but is also home to a select few watering holes all year round. Wildlife is easy to spot as the animals tend to gather around these scarce water sources.
We spend two nights in the park, and our itinerary is flexible depending on the conditions and the location of wildlife. We'll generally enjoy a short game drive on day 9 before spending our first night at a camp with a floodlit watering hole. Here you may be lucky enough to spot elephants, giraffe, hyenas and even lions.
Day 10 is spent on a full day's game drive across the park, stopping whenever we see anything of interest. We will either return to our first campsite, or perhaps a different one, depending on your tour leader's decision.
Day 11: Windhoek
Location: Windhoek
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Etosha National Park - Windhoek. Today we arrive in Namibia's charming capital. Windhoek is a tiny capital by global standards, with a population of just 470,000 people. It has lots of German architecture, a reminder of Namibia's early colonial past.
Our tour ends on arrival in the city. If you would like to stay for a few days to explore, then we can book post-tour accommodation for you.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Camping -
10 breakfasts, 9 lunches & 8 dinners
Enjoy 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 8 dinners during the tour.
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8 nights camping in 2-person dome tents and 2 nights in dorm accommodation in Swakopmund
Stay 8 nights camping in 2-person dome tents and 2 nights in dorm accommodation in Swakopmund.
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Escorted by a licensed 2-person crew
The tour is escorted by a licensed 2-person crew.
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Transportation in a 24-seater overland truck with camping and cooking equipment
Travel in a 24-seater overland truck equipped with camping and cooking equipment.
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Cape Town Township Tour
Participate in a guided tour of a township in Cape Town.
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Fish River Canyon & Sesriem visit
Visit Fish River Canyon and Sesriem during the tour.
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Sossusvlei shuttle, guided walk and Dune 45 excursion
Enjoy a shuttle to Sossusvlei, a guided walk, and an excursion to Dune 45.
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Spitzkoppe excursion to see Bushmen paintings
Take an excursion to Spitzkoppe to see Bushmen paintings.
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Etosha National Park game drives
Experience game drives in Etosha National Park.
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Sleeping mattress
A sleeping mattress is provided, but you will need to bring your own sleeping bag.
What's Not Included
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International flights and visas
International flights and visas are not included in the tour.
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Sleeping bag
Please bring your own sleeping bag as it is not provided.
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Tipping
Tipping is not included and is an entirely personal gesture.
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Optional activities
Optional activities are not included and prices are listed in the Trip Notes.
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Airport transfers
Airport transfers are not included but can be booked on request.
Accommodation
Experience a variety of accommodations on this tour, from the scenic Highlanders Campsite nestled among wine farms, to the Felix Unite campsite overlooking the Orange River. Enjoy the unique Canyon Roadhouse Campsite near Fish River Canyon, and the Sossus Oasis Overland Camp with desert views. Stay in dorms at Amanpuri Travellers Lodge in Swakopmund, and camp at the community-supported Spitzkoppe Rest Camp and Okaukuejo Camp with its floodlit watering hole.
Age Policy
18 and over. Anyone over 65 to complete a Tour Suitability Form.Maximum age 75.
Mode of Transport
Travel in comfort aboard a 24-seater overland truck equipped with camping and cooking gear. This reliable vehicle will take you through the diverse landscapes of South Africa and Namibia, ensuring a seamless journey from Cape Town to Windhoek, with stops at iconic sites along the way.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
The tour includes 8 nights of camping in 2-person dome tents and 2 nights in dorm accommodation in Swakopmund. The campsites offer various amenities such as BBQ pits, swimming pools, and shared bathroom facilities.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, there are several optional activities available, including canoeing on the Orange River, quad-biking, sand boarding, skydiving, and dolphin-watching cruises in Swakopmund.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 10 breakfasts, 9 lunches, and 8 dinners.
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What should I bring for the camping part of the tour?
You will need to bring your own sleeping bag as the tour provides a sleeping mattress but not a sleeping bag.
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Is there a pre-departure meeting for the tour?
Yes, there is a pre-departure meeting held at 18:00 on the evening prior to departure. The tour departs at 08:00 on Day 1, so it is recommended to arrive in Cape Town the day before the tour.
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What wildlife can I expect to see in Etosha National Park?
In Etosha National Park, you may see elephants, giraffe, hyenas, lions, and other wildlife, especially around the watering holes.
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What is the age policy for this tour?
The tour is for individuals aged 18 and over. Anyone over 65 needs to complete a Tour Suitability Form, and the maximum age is 75.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Ensuring our footprint is light and that the benefits of travelling reach the local communities you visit is paramount to us. We’re proud to say that when travelling with us, the large majority of your holiday funds remain within the countries you visit, supporting local economies at a grass roots level.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1998
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
With English-speaking tours, it's not a huge surprise that most on our travellers are from English-speaking countries or have English as their second language. Our group tours cater for everyone from 18 years old to 70+
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Low Deposit
On The Go Tours requires a minimum deposit of 600 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of on the go tours charges.
Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.